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OnePay will be at Merrion House on Monday 29 June.
Leeds Credit Union members can find out more about the OnePay debit card in person at Merrion House on Monday 29 June 2026.
The OnePay debit card is designed to give members a convenient and secure way to access and manage their money. It can be used for everyday spending in shops, cafés and restaurants, online, and at cash machines. Members can also manage their account online or through the an app, send and receive transfers to UK bank accounts, and set up standing orders or direct debits to help manage regular bills.
OnePay also gives cardholders access to OnePerks, a rewards scheme offering cashback and discounts across everyday spending areas such as supermarkets, high street brands, leisure, dining and travel.
The team will be available at Merrion House from 9am until 4pm on Monday 29 June 2026. Members are welcome to come along, ask questions, and find out whether OnePay could be useful for the way they manage their money.
Please note that fees, charges and terms apply. Members should review all available information before applying.
As many people know, stress is a common experience. Luckily, when it comes to financial stress, credit unions can help alleviate some of the most common worries so this week, we’re taking a look at the ways becoming a member of Leeds Credit Union could reduce your financial worries and help improve your mental health.
Personalised service.
Credit unions are member-owned, meaning they prioritise the needs of their members over the profits of shareholders. This allows them to offer a much more personalised service, with credit union staff more likely to work with you to find solutions to your financial challenges. This, in turn, helps reduce the stress of dealing with financial issues alone.
Money help.
Many credit unions enable their members to better understand their money, helping them learn about budgeting, saving and other important financial issues. By increasing your financial literacy, you may feel more confident and less stressed about managing your money.
Community focus.
Credit unions are often focused on serving their local communities. This helps create a sense of belonging and connection among members and in areas in which the credit unions operate, helping reduce stress.
Accessible services.
Credit unions often offer more accessible financial services than traditional banks. For example, they may offer lower minimum balance requirements, lower (or no) fees or more flexible loan requirements. These benefits can help reduce stress by making it easier to access the financial services you need.
How Leeds Credit Union can help reduce financial stress.
We provide straightforward, affordable financial services to people in Leeds, Wakefield, Harrogate, Craven, residents of certain housing associations and employees of some select employers.
If you are concerned about financial stress, our range of loans and savings accounts could help. For more information and to find out how to join our credit union, click here.
With longer days and winter now just a distant memory, many people in the UK are finding themselves inspired to breathe new life into their homes as part of ambitious spring cleaning and DIY projects.
But what are some of the UK’s most popular home improvements to undertake at this time of year? Let’s take a look…
Garden revitalisation.
Now our green spaces are bursting into bloom again, homeowners may well be tempted to show their outdoor areas a little TLC.
From simple tasks like weeding and pruning to more ambitious projects such as installing new flower beds, laying decking or creating a cosy seating area, giving your garden a shot in the arm is a quick and relatively inexpensive way of enhancing the beauty and functionality of your home at this time of year.
Painting and decorating.
A fresh coat of paint brightens up any room and spring is the ideal season for interior painting projects, as the warmer temperatures and increased ventilation from open doors and windows make it easier for paint to dry quickly and evenly!
Whether you’re opting for a subtle hue to create a calming atmosphere or a bold splash of colour to make a statement, a newly painted room is one of the most fool-proof ways to completely transform the look and feel of your home.
Decluttering.
For many of us, spring cleaning simply means ‘having a really good tidy up’ but there’s much more to it than that – it’s an excellent opportunity to declutter and organise your living space, creating a more serene and harmonious environment.
Take the time to sort through your belongings, donating or disposing of items you no longer need, and organising the rest in a way that maximises space and minimises clutter. From wardrobes and cupboards to garages and attics, there’s no shortage of areas to tackle during a thorough spring cleaning session.
Upgrading the kitchen.
The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, making it a popular focus for springtime home improvement projects. Whether you’re planning a full-scale renovation or simply updating fixtures and appliances, there are plenty of ways to breathe new life into your kitchen. Consider replacing outdated countertops, installing new cabinetry or upgrading to energy-efficient appliances to enhance both the aesthetics and functionality of this vital space.
Outdoor maintenance.
As the weather warms up, it’s important to ensure that your home’s exterior is in top condition. From cleaning gutters and washing windows to repairing fences and repainting doors, outdoor maintenance tasks can help protect your property from the elements while enhancing its overall appeal.
Don’t forget to inspect your roof for any signs of damage and schedule any necessary repairs to prevent leaks and other issues down the line too!
DIY with LCU!
Whether your spring home improvement project requires just a few tins of paint and some new storage options or a whole new kitchen, our range of affordable loans is here to help you make your dream home a reality!
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LCU’s Tips For Springtime Savings!
With spring here again, now is the perfect time to refresh your finances and make your money work harder for you. Whether you’re saving up for a special present, planning a holiday or just looking to save more money, here are five tips to help you make the most of your money this spring!
Look over your savings account.
Take a close look at your current savings account and compare it to some of the other savings accounts that are out there. Lots of credit unions offer very good interest rates and incentives for new customers, so moving your savings to an account with better rates can help your money grow faster.
Don’t spend what you can’t afford!
Spring is the perfect time to review your monthly expenses to see where you could be saving money, so have a close look at your subscriptions, memberships and recurring bills. Are you paying for anything you no longer use or need? Could you manage with less data on your mobile phone contract or fewer streaming services?
If the answer is ‘yes’, cancel or downsize these expenses asap to free up extra money and add it to your savings account!
Shop smarter.
Now the weather is getting warmer, you may be tempted to buy things like new clothes, things for your home or outdoor equipment. But before buying anything, ask yourself if you really need it.
If you really do, take the time to shop around and compare prices. Look for sales, discounts and coupons to make your money go further, or consider buying second-hand or pre-loved items to save even more money.
Explore cashback and rewards programs.
Make the most of your everyday spending by signing up for cashback and rewards programs. Many banks, credit cards and shopping platforms offer cashback or rewards points on purchases and, by using them cleverly, you can earn money back on your regular expenses.
Become more energy efficient.
As the weather warms up, now is the perfect time to invest in energy-efficient upgrades for your home.
Simple changes like installing LED light bulbs, resealing drafty windows and upgrading to a programmable thermostat can help lower your energy bills and save you more money.
Leeds Credit Union – here when you need us.
By trying these five tips, you can make your money go further this spring and set yourself up for financial success in the months ahead.
If you’ve done everything you can to save some extra money but are still struggling to make ends meet, you could borrow between £250 and £25,000 with one of our affordable loans. To find out more, click here.
Easter is a fantastic time to get out and about with the family and here in Leeds, there are plenty of affordable activities to enjoy. At Leeds Credit Union, we’re all about helping families make the most of their money, so we’ve picked three great-value days out with all the key details you need to plan ahead.
Easter on the Farm at Temple Newsam.
📍 Temple Newsam Estate, Leeds, LS15 0AE
📅 28 March – 19 April
If you’re looking for a classic Easter family day out, Temple Newsam is hard to beat. During the holidays, the farm comes alive with newborn lambs, piglets and other spring animals, giving children the chance to get up close to nature and, alongside the animals, there are plenty of other Easter-themed activities too, including:
‘Easter on the Farm’ interactive experiences
‘Hats off to History’ family trail inside the house
Free seasonal gardening activities on selected dates
Most activities are included in the standard entry fee, making this a great-value day out for the whole family.
Easter Trail at Bolton Abbey.
📍 Bolton Abbey Estate, Skipton
📅 21 March – 19 April
For a mix of adventure and fresh air, the Easter Trail at Bolton Abbey is a brilliant option. This Easter, families can follow a themed trail through woodland and riverside paths, solving clues along the way and earning a chocolate reward at the end!
And that’s not all! Bolton Abbey also boasts:
Huge open spaces for picnics and exploring
Pushchair-friendly routes
Pay-once entry (great for larger families)
It’s ideal if you want a low-cost, outdoor day out where kids can burn off energy.
International Jousting Tournament at the Royal Armouries.
📍 Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds Dock, LS10 1LT
📅 3 – 6 April 2026 (Easter weekend)
For something completely different this Easter, head to the Royal Armouries for their International Jousting Tournament, a spectacular live event where knights compete on horseback!
If you like the sound of:
Full medieval jousting displays
Armour demonstrations and storytelling
Family-friendly entertainment throughout the day
then head on over! It’s one of the best free events in Leeds during the Easter weekend and something that kids won’t forget in a hurry.
LCU – Making Easter affordable for families in Leeds.
At Leeds Credit Union, we’re here to support families all year round, helping you plan ahead, budget with confidence and enjoy the moments that matter.
If you need a helping-hand to make your money go further this Easter, one of our affordable loans could be just what you need – click here to find out more.
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Credit Union Reforms – What They Mean For You.
At Leeds Credit Union, our mission has always been simple: to provide fair, affordable financial services that put people before profit. That’s why we warmly welcome the UK Government’s latest reforms to widen access to credit unions and strengthen the mutual finance sector.
Announced this week, the changes are designed to help millions more people across the UK access affordable loans and secure savings options, offering a vital alternative to high-cost credit.
The reforms will allow credit unions to grow and reach more communities by expanding who can join. This includes broadening membership rules and enabling credit unions to serve larger populations, making it easier for people to benefit from community-based finance.
For many households facing ongoing cost-of-living pressures, this means greater access to ethical lending and a safe place to save, both of which are essential for building financial resilience.
Credit unions have long played a crucial role in supporting individuals who may have been turned away by high street lenders. By offering affordable loans and encouraging regular saving, they help people avoid high-interest debt and take control of their financial futures.
These reforms recognise the importance of that role and place credit unions at the heart of the UK’s Financial Inclusion Strategy, ensuring more people can access fair financial services when they need them most.
For communities here in Leeds, this is a significant opportunity. As credit unions grow and reach more people, we can continue to strengthen our local impact and support individuals, families and communities with trusted, community-focused financial services.
At Leeds Credit Union, we’re proud to be part of a movement that keeps money within local communities and supports people to thrive. These reforms are a positive step in the right direction and we look forward to helping even more people benefit from affordable, responsible finance in the future!
There’s always lots to do in Leeds and this weekend is no different, with the annual Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations coming to town!
A celebration of the life and legacy of Saint Patrick, Ireland’s most famous saint, St. Patrick’s Day takes place all around the world every year on March 17th, even though it is only officially recognised as a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland!
In fact, Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated in more countries than any other national festival, with people getting together to enjoy traditional Irish music, the wearing of green clothing and, if you’re old enough, a glass or two of Irish beer or whiskey.
There will be lots to do in Leeds City Centre this Sunday to mark the occasion ahead of the big day, with a major St Patrick’s Day celebration planned that features lots of free entertainment, such as:
live music and dancing in Millennium Square
Eye-catching displays
Children’s rides
Food and drink stalls
and lots more!
It’s all set up to be another fantastic St Patrick’s Day in Leeds – we hope to see you there!
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What the Spring Statement Means for People in Leeds.
This week, the Chancellor delivered the Government’s Spring Statement in Parliament, outlining the latest outlook for the UK economy.
While the announcement didn’t include any major new policies, it did give an updated picture of where the economy is heading over the next few years. For people and families in Leeds, that outlook brings a mix of reassurance and ongoing challenges.
The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) updated its forecasts as part of the Statement and now expects the UK economy to grow more slowly than previously predicted in 2026, at around 1.1%. However, stronger growth is forecast for 2027 and 2028, which could bring more opportunities for businesses and jobs in the future.
There was some positive news too. Inflation and government borrowing are both expected to fall over time, which should help bring more stability to the wider economy.
What does this mean for my household?
For many people in Leeds, the biggest concern remains the cost of everyday living.
While the economic outlook suggests prices may become a little more predictable in the future, households are still likely to feel pressure in the short term. Rising energy costs and ongoing uncertainty around fuel duty could continue to affect family budgets, which means that continuing to manage your finances carefully remains the order of the day.
At Leeds Credit Union, our focus remains on supporting local people with fair, affordable financial services.
We know that when the economic picture is uncertain, access to affordable loans and safe ways to save money becomes even more important. That’s why we continue to work with partners across the region to make sure people in Leeds have access to financial support and guidance when they need it.
From helping families manage unexpected costs through our Family Loans, to offering competitive rates that are often significantly more affordable than many high street options, our aim is always to put our members first.
We’re also in the process of recruiting a Head of Financial Education who will help us strengthen the financial guidance and resources available to our members and we continue to work with some of Leeds’ largest employers to make saving and borrowing easier for their staff through our Payroll Services, which provide convenient ways to save directly from salary and access exclusive member rates.
Economic announcements like the Spring Statement can sometimes feel detached from everyday life, but the reality is that they shape the environment in which we all live and work.
If you have questions about what the latest announcements might mean for you, your family or your workplace, we’re always here to help – click here to get in touch today.
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The Best Places To Celebrate British Pie Week 2026 in Leeds!
No sooner have we finished eating pancakes than another excuse to devour some delicious comfort food comes around – British Pie Week!
Running from March 3rd – 8th, this hallowed week is basically Christmas for pie lovers and exists solely to celebrate pies in all their glory. So forget about counting calories – grab a fork and join us as we rank the best places to get pies in Leeds!
The Hop.
Located alongside Leeds’ waterfront in the famous Dark Arches beneath the tracks of the railway station, The Hop is a pie-lovers dream.
Sourced from the multi-award winning Jones Pies in Harrogate, the menu includes classics like chicken and leek, steak and ale and cheese and potato, as well as several more, meaning there’s a pie for every appetite at The Hop. The creamy mash, beer-infused peas and baked beans are all superb and the rich gravy is so good you’ll be tempted to drink it neat.
Chuck in low prices and a huge range of real ales and you’ve got an ideal place to while away an afternoon – or two – this Pie Week.
The Hop, Granary Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds. LS1 4BR.
Pieminister.
With a name like that, you’d expect the good people at Pieminister to know their way around a pie. Well, fear not – they certainly do.
Variety is the spice of life at Pieminister, with the menu offering a wide range of flavours across 13 pies, from the spicy saag paneer to the creamy chicken and mushroom via the classic steak and kidney. There are also plenty of starters, sides, puddings, drinks and meal deals for diners with serious appetites, not to mention a variety of vegetarian and vegan options too.
Pieminister, 15-17 Duncan St, Leeds. LS1 6DQ.
Dave’s Pies and Ale.
A serious contender for the title of “Leeds’ best-kept secret”, Dave’s Pies and Ale does exactly what it says on the tin, dishing out fabulous pies and ales from a cosy, deliberately traditional looking micro-pub on Kirkstall Road.
The pies on offer are classic pork pies with a variety of twists, including chilli, chorizo, stilton, stuffing and black pudding. And yes, they’re every bit as good as they sound, with moist bottoms, crispy tops and flawless presentation, not to mention very reasonable prices.
Aside from the pies, the pub’s reclaimed fixtures and fittings, excellent selection of drinks and resident dog are likely to mean this place only gets more popular over the coming weeks. We recommend getting down there asap before word gets out!
If we’re honest, we’re struggling to think of a pie we didn’t like, so we’re sure there are plenty of other excellent pie-vendors all over Leeds. Let us know your favourite on our social media channels!
According to recent statistics, new passenger vehicle registrations in Britain increased by 3.5% to 2,020,520 cars in 2025, which basically means that a whole lot of cars were bought – and, therefore, also sold – last year.
With the cost of living continuing to cause financial headaches for many people, more and more are opting to pick up a used car, rather than a brand new one, for their transportation needs and, with new car number plates set for release on March 1st, now is a great time to pick up a quality used car for less.
Here’s how to get maximum value for money when delving into the second-hand market!
Timing is everything.
New number plates are released annually on March 1st and, as a result, the weeks around this date are the best times to buy a used car, for two reasons:
1) as soon as new plates are available, people rush to part-exchange their old cars in order to get their hands on one, leaving dealers with a surplus of used cars they can’t wait to sell on, and…
2) both before and after the new plates’ release, dealers start clearing out their old cars to make room for the new ones, meaning they’re more likely to accept a lower price in order to free up room on their forecourts.
If you’re not in a hurry to grab a new set of wheels, you could potentially save even more money by waiting until the end of car dealers’ sales quarters in March, June, September and December. In order to hit their sales targets and earn bonuses, dealers are often happier to negotiate, allowing you to pick up a quality ride for less.
It’s also a good idea to go to dealerships during the week as they tend to be much busier at weekends. This enables the dealers to focus their attention on you, increasing your chances of getting a better deal.
Know your trim levels.
Trim levels are essentially different variants of the same vehicle. While the names vary from car to car, what this basically means is how many optional extras do you want/need your car to have. The more you want, the higher the cost.
Only you know what’s right for your needs but it’s vital to find out about the different options before making a purchase. There’s no point paying more than you can afford for a model packed with features you’re unlikely to ever use.
MOT, tax and service history.
When buying a used car, the only way to know for sure that it’s reliable and not going to cost you a fortune later is to get your hands on its service book and go through the stamps that are in it – these will tell you the dates when the car was serviced and how many miles it had done between each service.
To be extra sure the car’s as good as it seems, you can also use the DVLA’s free Online Enquiry Service to check its current tax and MOT status by entering the registration number and vehicle make. Don’t be alarmed if the tax has been cancelled – that’s normal when a car is sold to a dealer – but remember to make a note of the date when it was cancelled or it expired.
Every car more than three years old must have its MOT renewed every year so you ideally want a car that has recently passed its MOT as this means you won’t have to pay to have it tested again for several months.
If the MOT isn’t current and/or the tax expired a long time ago, there’s a chance the car has been off the road for a significant period of time and, if so, it’s important to find out why. If the dealer can’t give you a good reason, it’s often a sign that the car’s not up to scratch and should be avoided at all costs.
Get help with an LCU Car Loan!
At Leeds Credit Union, you can borrow between £250 and £25,000 to help you buy the car of your dreams with one of our affordable car loans. To find out more, click here.
